I live in, and love, Singapore and spend a large
amount of my time trying to be as local as I possibly can. When in Rome...
I have a few favorite finds and R&R has asked me
to share my top 5:
Dim Sum has become an addiction and I get my weekly
fix at Crystal Jade Golden Palace in Paragon where, aside from all the usual
faves, they also now serve delectable dim sum for children which is really very
sweet. Bring your own child sized chopsticks and be amazed at what they
can do. Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Paragon #5, T: (+65) 67346866
(+65) 67346866
Yue Hwa (I’m no whizz at
pronunciation but ‘you whaaaa’ seems to work ok – as in ‘you what?’ but missing
off the ‘t’) in Chinatown is a great one-stop shop for people staying with you
who are looking for well-priced presents to take home. You have to be
able to hunt out the good stuff though so don't send anyone here who is super
high end as they won't be able to cope (send them to Shanghai Tangs in Taka
instead). My favorite place to buy reasonably priced, heavy, pure silk
dressing gowns in rich emerald silk, embroidered with butterflies and lined in
shocking pink. They also have a good jewellery department too on the top floor.
Yue Hwa, 70 Eu Tong Street, Singapore 059805, T:
(+65) 6538 4222
(+65) 6538 4222
, www.yuehwa.com.sg Opening Times:
11am-9pm Mon-Fri & Sun, 11am-10pm Sat
Joanne Chiam really is the Eve Lom of Singapore and
her number is gold dust. Go to her for a facial just once and you’ll never go
anywhere else. She is still a relatively well-kept secret and a lot of her
clients are beautifully groomed tai tais who visit her monthly, as a minimum.
At $150 for up to 2 hours (depending on how bad your skin is; 1.5 hours if it's
ok) not only is she miles cheaper than Eve Lom but also very, very good at what
she does. (I secretly wanted to list Joanne first, as my top can’t-live-without
but thought it looked a bit vain, so I’ve dropped her down to 3rd
place but truth be told, I’d happily forfeit dim sum to go to her if I had to
choose!) It’s only her, so SMS for an appointment rather than call. Joanne,
57 Cairnhill Road, #01-01 Elizabeth Heights, S229668, T: (+65) 9734 8075
(+65) 9734 8075
; by
appointment only
Number 4 is the Jade Market in Hong Kong, which I know
is not quite Singapore, but it’s near enough.
Found on Kansu and Battery street, it’s a great place
to stock up on presents, including huge Chinese jade pendants which you can
pick up for around HKD$60 (£5).
Chinese puddings are generally much maligned but I
defy anyone not to love an egg tart from Tong Heng. Almost identical to a
French custard tart in terms of taste (not too sweet) and pastry (deliciously
light and crumbly), I was introduced to this Chinatown institution by my
surrogate Singaporean mummy, T. Their euro tartiness is explained by the
fact that they a hangover from the days when Portugal was in charge
here. Priced at little more than $1 a tart, double park and buy a box of
at least six to make the trip worth it.
Baked daily. Tong Heng, 285 South
Bridge Road, Singapore 058833, T: (+65) 6223 3649
(+65) 6223 3649
/ 6223 0398
6223 0398
; Opening Times:
9am-10pm daily
Lots of love
Changmoh
My 3 favourite things:
My girl and 2 boys
X
